Thoughtful Thursday 

From Kindergarten to a King 

After I retired from teaching, I was given the opportunity to substitute teach for a kindergarten class. I had mostly taught second and third grade during my tenure, so I had limited experience with this age group. I found them to be delightful! 

One cold February day, I was teaching a kindergarten class, and a group of eighth grade students knocked on my door. They had been researching various presidents because we were celebrating President’s day. One of the students asked, “Is it okay if we read our report to your class?”
“Sure,” I answered, and settled back behind my desk to watch and listen.

The young man gave a wonderful account on the life of Abraham Lincoln. He read how he was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, in a little log cabin. He read how he was called, “Honest Abe,” because he supposedly walked miles to return a penny. The class also heard how he grew up poor, worked hard, and became the sixteenth president of the United States. He served during the Civil War, and was killed at Ford’s Theater. 

When the older students left, I decided to ask the little ones what they had learned. I asked where he was born, what was his nickname, why was he called, “Honest Abe?” Then I asked, “What happened to him in the end?” They were silent for a moment, until one brave student said, “He died.”

“Well,” I prompted, “How did he die?” From the back of the room, a little boy was frantically waving his arm. “I know! I know!” he shouted. “They hung him on a cross!”

It seems that this little five year old was confused about his historical figures. However, there is no confusion about Jesus. Yes, others throughout history were hung on a cross. There were even two right beside Jesus at the time of His death. But, make no mistake…only ONE person, one being in history, that rose again! That person was Jesus! He did die on the cross, was laid in a tomb, and on the third day, He arose! 

Luke 24:1-7 tells us:

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee:

The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.”

No leader, no teacher, no prophet, not even a president has died for our sins, and rose again, and is coming back someday to take us home!

Like the old song says:

“He lives! He lives! 
Christ Jesus lives today! 
He walks with me, and talks with me,
Along life’s narrow way!
He lives ! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart!”

Today, as you read this, does Jesus live within your heart? Would you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and follow Him in baptism? You’ll be glad you did…Honest!

Have a great Thursday!